The Veteran's service-connected basal cell carcinoma/actinic keratosis does not require therapy comparable to systemic malignancies and is currently rated at 0 percent.,The maximum schedular rating for tinnitus (10%) has already been assigned. The Veteran cannot be granted a higher rating based on this condition alone.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's shortness of breath or COPD are related to his service, including due to in-service participation in a toxic-risk exposure activity (TERA).,The Veteran's COPD does not appear to be linked to his service. The issue remains remanded as there may be additional information needed.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's basal cell carcinoma is currently rated at 0 percent due to the absence of systemic malignancy-related therapy and no visible characteristic lesions.,The maximum schedular rating for tinnitus (10%) has already been assigned, so a higher rating cannot be granted based on this condition alone.,There is insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's shortness of breath or COPD to his service. The issue remains remanded as there may be additional information needed.,The Veteran's COPD does not appear to be linked to his service. The issue remains remanded as there may be additional information needed.
- Claimed conditions
- basal cell carcinoma, tinnitus, shortness of breath, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asbestosis/pleural disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, vertigo, neuropathy of the left lower extremity (left foot pain), neuropathy of the right lower extremity (right foot pain), left lateral collateral ligament sprain (left ankle sprain), right lateral collateral ligament sprain (right ankle sprain)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 12, 2026
- Citation
- A26002734
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26002734.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition, which he claims was caused by exposure to water-based contaminants at Camp Lejeune during his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
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